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Brooklyn City students recognized; board hears how school-run food pantry trains students and serves families
Summary
Superintendent and teachers presented a proclamation for senior bowler Adam Cowper and highlighted the Brooklyn Community Food Pantry, which uses student teams to fill, label and deliver monthly food orders while teaching employability and communication skills.
The Brooklyn City Board of Education on April 21 recognized senior Adam Cowper as the 2026 OHSAA Division II boys state bowling champion and heard a presentation on the Brooklyn Community Food Pantry, a school-run program that provides monthly food and hygiene supplies to families while giving students hands-on vocational training.
Superintendent Dr. Theodore Claire introduced the presentations and called forward Mr. Larson, Mr. Zafka and Adam Cowper for a framed proclamation honoring Cowper for a 729 series and a high game of 279 at the state championships, the highest series and single-game score reported at that tournament. Board members and the audience applauded the recognition.
Teachers Brenda Marsico and Brenda Campbell described the Brooklyn Community Food Pantry’s operations: students complete a multi-step ordering process (reviewing household size, filling order forms, labeling bags and staging deliveries) and take customer-service roles when handing bags to caregivers at distribution. The program began with a grant and now relies on donations and community partners including St. Thomas More and Grocery Outlet, the presenters said.
Marsico and Campbell said the pantry’s value goes beyond providing groceries: students gain pre-vocational and employability skills such as filling orders accurately, speaking with customers and managing inventory. Several students present described favorite tasks — stocking shelves, tagging bags, carrying boxes — and one student said working at the pantry made them consider how different life would be without the service.
Board members praised the program and the student presenters during the superintendent’s report. The board’s acknowledgment of both the student athlete and the pantry concluded the superintendent’s report and preceded the treasurer’s financial update.
What’s next The pantry will continue its monthly distributions and school leaders noted ongoing community partnerships and donation support; the board did not vote on any action related to the pantry during the meeting.
